2003 Order of Merit
Henry F. Wiebe
Nominated by Heartland Credit Union
Henry F. Wiebe was the long-time mayor of Winkler and served Winkler (Heartland) Credit Union for 35 years. During that time, he spent nine years as a director with Credit Union Central of Manitoba, four years as the president of CUCM and 11 years as a director and the chairman of the Stabilization Fund (now CUDGC). He also served as a director on the Credit Union League board, was a member of the Executive Committee of Credit Union Central of Canada’s board, sat as a member of the Credit Union Executive Society and was the director of the Ethics Committee for the Executive Society.
In his memory, Mr. Wiebe’s family asked that the $500 scholarship be awarded to a student in the Music Therapy program at Canadian Mennonite University. The $500 bursary was awarded to Ms. Meredith Gail Daley.
Wasyl Topolnicky
Nominated by Carpathia Credit Union
Wasyl Topolnicky served the Manitoba credit union system for 38 years. A native of Ukraine, Topolnicky came to Canada in 1926 and brought with him a deep interest in — and knowledge of — the co-operative movement. Shortly after his arrival, Topolnicky established Kalyna Co-operative, the first Ukrainian co-operative in Canada. From there, he moved on to establish the first Ukrainian credit union in Canada (Nova Hromada in Saskatchewan), and later helped to found Carpathia Credit Union in Manitoba.
Topolnicky went on to help establish six other credit unions in Manitoba.
In his memory, Carpathia’s board of directors asked that the $500 scholarship be awarded to a student at the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies.
Bill Halpenny
Nominated by Astra Credit Union
Bill Halpenny served the credit union system for 47 years, including five as Astra’s general manager, from 1986 until his retirement in 1990. Following his retirement, Halpenny continued to serve the credit union system, sitting on the boards of both Astra and CUCM. He also sat on the boards of Credit Union Central of Canada, the Canadian Co-operative Association, the Manitoba Co-op Council and the CUMIS Group.
For 10 years Halpenny also served as first vice-president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Fort Garry Rotary Club for nine years. In 2001, he received the Manitoba Co-operative Council Distinguished Co-operator Award.
Mr. Halpenny asked that the $500 scholarship go to a student from Fort Richmond Collegiate’s 2004 graduating class who had performed community volunteer service work.